Today we’d like to introduce you to Sigal Erez
Hi Sigal, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I came to America with an Aim to make Movies. I knew very early on that I wanted to write, act, and direct films- tell stories.
I wasn’t crazy about producing but later on I learned that I had to produce myself in order to see a project from beginning to end- especially on a lower budget.
I went to Lee Strasberg New York and completed the full program. Upon arriving to LA, I was introduced to an agent by my New York teacher, but this particular agent did not agree with my vision and wanted me to focus solely on acting. Looking back I should have listen to him. When you come here you don’t necessarily know the business of show business, you must always keep the passion, but be open to learn.
I was stubborn…
I had five auditions, I booked all of them and unfortunately all five of them did not get made.
I was shocked, my agent explained that it is normal.
That is when I understood the fragility and uncertainty of this industry.
I parted ways with that agent.
It was very difficult as a woman to convince people that I can write, direct and act, and that I am not just a pretty face.
I believe that today we are more open to acknowledge that people don’t belong in a box, rather an artist’s spirit and ability is free and infinite.
Especially we must encourage WOMEN to write, and direct movie.
I wrote my first script titled: the ‘Battle of Evermore’ with a talented USC film and a winner of the usc film short film contest -Martin Spottl.
That script advanced to the finals of the Nichols fellowship.
Our second script ‘Across the Line’ a border thriller became a movie which is viewed by Millions until today on many platforms.
In Across the Line I not only wrote the script, but I acted opposite Brad Johnson and Brian Bloom and co-produced the film.
Martin Spottl directed ‘Across the Line’ and if you see
Across the Line, it’s apparent that we were ahead of our time.
I played a Guatemalan Immigrant coming to America in search of the American Dream.
My stories always tend to be a head of their time.
After ‘Across the Line’ I got married and devoted my time to raising my son, while still writing a-lot.
To train my muscles, I was accepted to a master screenwriting program at UCLA.
And started going on Thursday evening. I was able to write, and get great feedback from my professors and other talented writers.
In 2016 I made an award winning short film titled ‘What’s your Number’ A holocaust drama about the unlikely friendship between an African American boy and a holocaust survivor, the film is available on the platform “WeShort”. The film won many awards, and was screened in over 25 festivals.
I made two more short films,
“Cleaning up their mess”
“LA dreaming”
And directed music videos during Covid.
I wrote over 20 screenplays and
8 TV Pilots including a script titled ‘Serial Beauty’ a mystical thriller.
In 2024 Serial Beauty became
A feature film.
I wrote, directed, and produced this feature film which was a huge undertaking.
The investors could not believe what I have achieved with the budget at hands.
The film got a distribution deal and it is now available on Amazon Prime. I am a multi Genre writer, stories come to me in many different ways. Often I dream my stories. I believe that everyone has a story to tell. There is a story in everything. Even a simple song tells a story.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, as a cliche as it may sound, this an industry based on relationships and connections (perhaps all businesses are) Although I am very comfortable sharing a story or being in a room for a concrete pitch meeting-
I do not enjoy a “Shmoozing” or being at an “empty” networking event.
I don’t come from any contacts in the film industry, so I literally have to create everything myself.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I definitely consider myself a story teller. I believe that it is my gift. I write screenplays and TV series. I specialize in intriguing, complex, female protaganists. I have a rich knowledge of History and the Bible. I also have a very international backround which allows me too think outside the box and helps my imagination be unlimited. I am known for ‘Across the Line’
‘What’s your Number’ and ‘Serial Beauty’ .
How do you think about luck?
I dont know if I would call it luck, but rather opportunity meets preparation. I would say that there where many times in my life that I am fully prepared, but I don’t have the oppurtunity. I’m hoping to encounter people who have a passion to collaborate, support, and invest in storytellers.
There is nothing more powerful than an emotionally moving story . Stories are the main tools to help us break all assumptions, stay curious, and to think.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.highwaterfilms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigaldelrey?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Image Credits
Photos of me are by Ash Gupta
